cafebabel.com

Visit to the EHU: Belarusian elite university exiled in Vilnius

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:19 -0000

The decision was taken: the European humanities university, created in Minsk, Belarus in 1992, packed up to join Vilnius (and democracy) in 2004. In this oasis of free education, Belarusian youth have been exiled further and further to the west

Barroso is his own enemy

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:17:06 -0000

Barroso is hoping for a second five-year mandate as president of the European council, but the members of the European parliament want the Portuguese conservative to present a schedule before they give him their support

EU election results: France, Holland poor socialist performance

('Lydia Bigos',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:11:42 -0000

The EU elections between 4 and 7 June 2009 have revealed the high price of political opportunism in 2005, when they opposed the European constitution

Punishment for governments, more independence for EU parliament

('Cat82',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:45:32 -0000

The elections have led to a protest vote against national governments. As a result, the European parliament now has more power to counteract the European council

EU elections: why Europe has been loyal to the right

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:18:37 -0000

Tepid, failed third-way socialism: with 267 out of 736 seats, the European people’s party (EPP) have won the elections for the third consecutive time in a row. Only the ruling socialist and liberal parties have felt a kinf of ‘punishment vote’ inspired by dealings of the crisis. The greens and the nationalists have taken advantage of the discontent engulfing European politics

Europe has voted: so what's the trend?

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

From 4 - 7 June 2009 the citizens of the 27 EU member states cast their votes for a new European parliament. The voter turnout was relatively low, but the trends are clear to see. In many countries right-wing parties gained a larger share of the vote while national governments were punished. The press in Holland, Poland, Italy, Finland, Austria and Hungary speak

Giovanni di Lorenzo: 'the values which inspired the creation of the EU are pathetic today'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:23 -0000

We speak to an Italian born in Sweden, raised in Rome, who moved to Hannover aged eleven, speaking little German. Today he is the director of German weekly Die Zeit, co-editor of Der Tagesspiegel, author of a bestseller and a TV presenter. We meet in Berlin to discuss the crisis of a marriage of 27 countries on the eve of the European elections between 4 – 7 June 2009: the passion is dead and not enough economic gains to hold it together

Czech Republic: 'we are leaving behind the eggs and going to vote'… for the right

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:08:51 -0000

The new generation of the Czech right-wing is waging its political war. Its weapons are eggs and Facebook contacts. Practices of suspect ideology. The result? A huge mishmash of ideas that mix anticommunism, liberalism and support for both Tibet and Israel. The maxim on the agenda: we do not revolt without eggs, and lots of them

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen wants Jose Manuel Durao Barroso out

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:28:12 -0000

On 5 June the French daily Le Monde will publish a tribune written by the leader of the party of European socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. It marks the first time that the Dane dares the incumbent EU commission president to not get a second mandate. Weekly newsbite

Women on the verge of a political equality attack

('Darren Thompson',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:45:00 -0000

The only country that has more female than male representatives in the European parliament is the Netherlands. Estonia and Sweden follows behind with relative equality. Weekly news

The Europe-shaped hole in the Polish campaign for June elections

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:45:00 -0000

Obviously, this is not a country-specific phenomenon, but a pan-European one. What is not typical is the lack of any debate between the main political parties, even on domestic issues. The ruling party and the main opposition party seem to be focused exclusively on the names that supposedly ensure the highest possible score

EU election expressions: politics makes for strange bedfellows

('Lindsey Evans',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

As a third of voters in Europe get set to vote in the European elections between 4-7 June, we ponder expressions ranging from 'election sausages' in Poland to 'rolling balls around' in France. Weekly sayings

What the fridge is the charter of fundamental rights really about?

('ClaireBrunel',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:45:00 -0000

The founding treaties of the European communities focused on the original objective of economic integration and did not include any provision relating to the protection of human rights. The EU charter of fundamental rights arrived at the opportune moment to fill this gap

Languages: Dutch amidst French in bilingual Brussels

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:27:21 -0000

On the footpaths of Brussels your ears catch a litany of languages. In this European city, the official status of the bilingualism can be seen everywhere, especially in job advertisements. Is this a question of identity or discrimination in recruitment?

Turnout won't be 45% at the European elections this time!

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:38:02 -0000

We were sulky voters in 2004. It was the worst case in the history of the European parliament. Only 45% of Europeans made the effort, despite the fact that this assembly is the one making the decisions affecting our everyday life. Lame!

Only 30% of voters mobilised for European elections 2009

('Annika Thornton',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:45:00 -0000

With six months to go until the parliamentary elections, a meagre 30% of people surveyed were confident of going to vote between 4 and 7 June 2009. Europe needs to rediscover its passion for politics, or it risks losing it completely!

Lost in Europe: the long story of Dublin II, national laws and EU immigrants

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:15:00 -0000

Clandestine immigrants, regular immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees or repatriates; these many types of status all boil own to just one condition, that of immigrants faced with a legislative system that is constantly being redefined to be European. They come from so many different places, but in the majority of cases, the only destination awaiting them is temporary detention centres

Trust me, I'm the European parliament

('Andrew Christie',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:15:00 -0000

52% of Europeans trust the European parliament - 3 percentage points fewer than in 2007. Nonetheless, it remains the most highly regarded European institution among its citizens

EU election campaign is hypocritical, because there's no choice

('samantha',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:38:20 -0000

On 17 March the European parliament launched its communication campaign in view of the European elections in June 2009. The German agency which produced it has, for the first time in EU history, used elements taken from concrete politics to encourage participation. Despite this the Italian government has found it non-communicative (and has announced that it is making a new one), without mentioning the fact that it recalls the wave of anti-Roma feeling which has swept through Italy lately

Brussels crisis: be creative, become an entrepeneur

('Sarah Pybus',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The crisis is confronting young entrepreneurs in Brussels. Whilst some have excellent qualifications, those who don’t have a battle on their hands

Green Monica Frassoni: 'Barroso out, woman in'

('Lydia Bigos',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:56:43 -0000

The leader of the European green party is tired of the current head of the European commission: the time has come for a woman to take charge

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: why the financial crisis has made Danes more pro-euro

('Matthew Pagett',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0000

The Danish prime minister was the star of the annual European Liberals Congress in Stockholm between 30 - 31 October. They met to prepare their strategy in view of the June 2009 European elections. Exclusive interview

Lívia Járóka: female, Roma and Euro MP

('rhiannon_nicolson',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:33:52 -0000

The first female Roma member of the European parliament takes stock of her first term in office and announces that she will run in this year’s European elections in June. We talk women, Roma statistics and the EU institutions

Spain’s extreme right: no to Turkey, no to globalisation

('Astrid vW',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:16:48 -0000

The Spanish people’s party’s failed attempts to create a strongly right-wing organisation has provoked up to six groups from this spectrum into planning their candidacy in the next European elections on 7 June, but their prospects look bleak

What the fridge is EUdebate2009.eu?

('Helen Swain',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0000

A spin-off of our politics section, this website in six languages is set to spice up the 2009 European elections

Italian right-wing parties of Europe, unite!

('samantha',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:03:37 -0000

'Tricolour flame', 'new force', 'the right' - these Italian political parties are to the 'right of the centre right'. How should they organise themselves for the European elections in June 2009?

EU elections on 7 June in Belgium to contend with crisis and regional elections

('Geoffrey Grandjean',) — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:54:59 -0000

On 7 June there will be two kinds of elections in Belgium: European and regional elections. In December 2008, prime minister Yves Leterme’s resignation ended the political crisis in Belgium. So what's really at stake in this context? Can a European issue emerge among the omnipresent discussions on its future?

Italy and beyond: say no to criminals in European parliament

('Michelle Williams',) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:43:57 -0000

Andrea D'ambra, the same man who launched a petition in Italy to abolish mobile phone top up charges, has now launched a campaign across Europe to say 'that's enough!' to MEP's with criminal records or fines for illegal activity. This is a widespread Italian problem which is now being exported across Europe

Islam in Strasbourg: role model for the rest of EU?

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:00:00 -0000

With more than 20 mosques, 30 catholic churches, 13 protestant churches, 9 synagogues and 10 Buddhist temples, many believe that the creation of an islamic theology department would solve the problem of integration. Such an establishment is not permitted in secular France; but with a local statute and the system of 'recognised faiths', it can be in Strasbourg

Eurofreaks, eurosceptics and euroabstainers: youth parliament talks

('Andrew Christie',) — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:15:00 -0000

We’ve had 30 years of the right to elect representatives in EU parliament, which has moved from an advisory board to a fully-fledged legislative institution. However, the increase in power of the only EC institution to be elected directly via universal suffrage has coincided with a consistent fall in voter turnouts. Voter turnout in the EU elections is around 20 points lower across the board than in national elections

Eurocorps in Strasbourg: is it really a European military with no UK participation?

('Aatish Pattni',) — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:20:24 -0000

Strasbourg is home to the most European of all HQs; the Eurocorps headquarters. Born 15 years ago, this army corps is the sole military organisation governed by an international treaty. So, are the Eurocorps a sign of Europe’s powerful defence force? Opinions are divided in the Alsatian region capital

Joseph Daul: ‘when we get up and turn on the light, it’s the EU who decides what type of light bulb we can use’

('Joss Corner',) — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:26:09 -0000

If the European centre-right wins the European elections again between 4 - 7 June, they will be able to use the key political positions in order to advance the EU. Helping Europeans combat the crisis and involve them in the construction of a community project: those are two sizeable challenges. Interview

Parlorama.eu, europarl.europa.eu & votewatch.eu: sites name and shame MEPs

('Lindsay Irish',) — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:15:16 -0000

In response to the controversy surrounding the website parlorama.eu, which was established to assess the attendance rates of MEPS, the European parliament has agreed to publish its own statistics before the elections. Judge for yourself

Libertas: eurosceptic, but first real europarty?

('Matthew',) — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:45:00 -0000

The Irish European parliament elections in June 2009 represent a key moment in Ireland’s future relations with the EU. The Lisbon treaty was rejected in June 2008; will Ireland elect many eurosceptic MEPs? Or are the Irish population really interested in a more inclusive and cohesive EU?

Italy: to vote or not to vote in EU elections on 6-7 June?

('Julia Karlysheva',) — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:45:00 -0000

But most importantly, why vote? The European elections between 4 and 7 June 2009 are victim to a changing and uncertain political landscape

Exclusive: Parlorama MEP ranking portal back onsite

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:15:43 -0000

The website which judges the activity of Euro MPs came back onsite on 14 May at 3pm – with a few modifications and the same desire to make some noise. It was forced to close for three weeks after officials objected to its content

Antonio López-Istúriz White: 'not looking into taking in the Irish Fianna Fáil party'

('Gemma Turner',) — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:34:47 -0000

For the European elections in June 2009, the experts predict a third consecutive victory for the European people’s party, albeit with a lesser majority. The conservatives have to recover from the split with the Tories, announced by William Hague, as well as the changes that this crisis has caused in their electoral programme

Calendar: vote for EU elections in UK and Ireland on 4-5 June

('Lydia Bigos',) — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:35:05 -0000

The European elections this summer take place over four days, 4 - 7 June - here is a summary of when exactly for all of the EU-27 countries, plus possible reasons why they will - or will not - vote in elections which pick the European parliament for the next five years. Plus, videos

Spain-EU: confusing electoral 'auberge espagnole'

('Matthew',) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Debates on Europe in Spain are frequently a misleading paradox. On the one hand, public opinion is attached to the European Union, which facilitated the economic and political modernisation of the country. On the other, the lack of 'political pedagogy', the campaign for the European elections in June being no exception, leaves the EU as a distant and unknown political reality

Five years of enlarged Europe – no longer a land of gold

('Gemma Turner',) — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:23:23 -0000

Five years on from the great European expansion into the east, the eastern and western members are still oceans apart. The distance is not only geographical and the differences not only ideological

Closed down 'parlorama.eu' transparency portal can claim victory

('Lydia Bigos',) — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:12:48 -0000

Before the European elections between 4 - 7 June 2009, you will know which MP’s aren’t working as hard as they should be thanks to a French portal which was closed down recently - the latest titbit of news from Brussels

Graham Watson: 'liberal democrats aim to become bigger in the European elections'

Wed, 06 May 2009 11:59:12 -0000

The European elections in June will be the first fought under the lash of recession. MEPs will campaign on issues like the environment, justice and foreign affairs, but the economy tops the list of citizens concerns. The parties that are seen to have the best solutions will prosper at the polls. EU liberal democrats must rise to that challenge collectively - and within our own member states too

CAP? The queen farms on EU money

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:00:44 -0000

Normally the EU doesn't shrink from using showing citizens with golden plaques and stardust whereabouts European money goes. With regards to cereal, meat and milk this is somewhat different. The agricultural subsidies, which were originally meant to support the agricultural community, now flow in quite different directions. Latest news titbit from Brussels

The European parliament should have a stronger role

Mon, 04 May 2009 12:15:00 -0000

Tommaso Padoa Schioppa, economist and former Italian finance minister, has launched an appeal for MEPs and candidates to reinforce the parliament's strength against a backdrop of crisis and global instability. This manifesto has been signed by: Jerzy Buzek, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Jean-Luc Dehaene, Jacques Delors, Wim Kok, Paavo Tapio Lipponen, Péter Medgyessy, Wolfgang Schüssel, Mario Soares, Peter Sutherland and Guy Verhofstadt

What the fridge is EU debate on the ground?

('Neil Saddington',) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

For a year from October 2008, the monthly initiative brings together one cafebabel.com editor with three reporters and one photojournalist from across the network to spend four days reporting in a European city

Sali Berisha: 'We are going to win the elections because Albanians are smart people'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:59:09 -0000

The Albanian prime minister, 64, announced his country's official EU membership bid to the Czech presidency of the council on 28 April 2009. In Warsaw, the lively PM talk elections, internet and the EU at the two-day congress of the European people's party (EPP). Albania is one of its six non-EU members*

Renewable energy: the next economic bubble?

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:36:55 -0000

When the US-originating ‘dot-com bubble’ of 2001 or the current ‘economic bubble’ in the housing market burst or ‘crashed’, they wreaked havoc on the world economy and its financial markets. What is this ill-understood phenomena?

'The Tories are all show and will return to us straightaway'

('Darren Thompson',) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:30:05 -0000

Warsaw’s palace of culture and science, a megalomaniac structure which was gifted to the Poles by Stalin, provided the setting for the centre-right's family conference, with protectionism and a social market economy being the main ingredients on the June 2009 electoral programme. 'Stars' attending the European people's party congress included Berlusconi, Merkel and Barroso, with the Brits missing

Why Austria might fall with central and eastern Europe

('Hayley Worsley-Carter',) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:15:00 -0000

Will the European Union be under threat of the financial crisis that is eating away at its eastern members? A barrage of bad news suggests that it might. Solidarity may be the only way to come to eastern Europe’s aid and to save its member states from possible danger

Parlorama.eu portal reopens despite EU politician threats

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:34:00 -0000

On 24 April, political pressure temporarily gagged the website which classifies Euro MPs according to their plenary sessions and parliamentary commission attendances. It is due to make a triumphant comeback with three new linguistic versions to boot on 4 or 5 May